West Indies slumped to a 38-run defeat against Afghanistan in the first T20I yesterday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Opting to bat first, the hosts posted a formidable 181 for 3 on a surface offering appreciable turn. The innings was powered by Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 87 from 56 balls and an assured 84 from Darwish Rasooli, the pair combining to put West Indies under sustained pressure. In reply, the target never truly appeared under threat, as the Men in Maroon limped to 141 for 9. Debutant Quentin Sampson topscored with 30, striking two fours and two sixes in an otherwise subdued batting effort.
The series had been framed as one designed to bring role clarity under head coach Daren Sammy ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup. Instead, it raised familiar questions as the West Indies were outplayed by a clinical Afghanistan outfit, just a day after their Under-19 side had been comprehensively beaten by 138 runs by the same opposition in the ongoing Under-19 World Cup.
West Indies started the match brightly as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was run out off the very first ball, undone by Gudakesh Motie’s sharp direct hit as he fell short of his ground at the non-striker’s end. Sediqullah Atal followed soon after, edging a short ball to Brandon King at first slip, who completed a superb one-handed catch. At 19 for 2, the hosts were momentarily stalled.
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